In North Carolina, alligators have been reported in the ocean off of Masonboro Island. So, if you are not within a decent drive of Lake Norman, there is still a chance to find peace and quiet at one of the other large lakes. "They get back, they got bit or shot a hole in the boat; they're not going to admit it," he said. The state has 59 lakes, including natural and man-made. There is also a diverse ecosystem on land. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Then throw the imaginary map away because the big ones can be found almost anywhere. Yes, thre are alligators present at some beaches in North Carolina. 17 Facts About The Golden Lancehead Viper. Carolina's alligators are found in the southeastern corner of the state, excluding the Outer Banks. The ideal temperature range for alligators is 77-86 degrees Fahrenheit. The area is home to nearly 40 species of birds! Don't Drink and Drive, rule to allow limited take of American alligators (H6), Download the NC Alligator Management Plan, Alligator Management Options for Local Governments, Municipality / County Application for Alligator Population Reduction Hunt, Jurisdictional Alligator Handler Program Information Packet, Summary of Public Input on2017 DraftAlligator Management Plan, Summary of Public Input from 2016 NCWRC Alligator Management Forums, Download"NC Alligators Project on iNaturalist: Step by Step Instructions for Participating", ideo tutorials on how to upload photos to iNaturalist using a mobile device or computer. However, they are not all natural lakes. You have permission to edit this article. The levees of waterfowl rice fields on plantation land along the Cooper River in Berkeley County have become notorious for them. Low 63F. South Carolina's biggest gators and where they lurk, The Berkeley Independent - Moncks Corner, SC. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Alligator sightings are pretty common here, too. An enormous 11-foot alligator terrorized a North Carolina family as it took up residence in their pond. Do not throw food into waters where alligators may be found. . If you see an alligator in the wild, it is best to leave it alone and give it space. Yes, thre are alligators present at some beaches in North Carolina. Jurisdictional Alligator Handler Program Information Packet (PDF), Summary of Public Input on2017 DraftAlligator Management Plan(PDF), Summary of Public Input from 2016 NCWRC Alligator Management Forums (PDF), NC Alligators citizen-science project on iNaturalist. Colloquially, Lake Norman is often called the "inland sea" due to . I had somewhere to be. Alligator attacks are rare, and they typically occur when a person gets too close to the animal or tries to feed it. The farthest north an alligator has been found is in North Carolina. It was really big, and what I remember is it was heavy," said hunter Mara-Christian. Alligators are carnivores and will eat almost anything they can catch, including fish, reptiles, mammals, and birds. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Are There Alligators At The Beach In North Carolina? Do not feed ducks, geese, other waterfowl or fishwhere alligators have been seen. Yes, there are sharks in the Outer Banks. According to wildlife authorities in North Carolina, alligators are primarily situated around the coastal and Outer Banks regions, and their territory spreads northwards, just shy of the border with Virginia. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Albemarle Peninsula in eastern North Carolina. In 2016, a 12-foot behemoth was taken closer to the South of the Border tourist landmark on Interstate 95 than to the coast when nuisance gator removal agent Dennis Matherly took one from a pond near the Great Pee Dee River. Woollery and Lax eventually decided to fork out $600 for a private alligator trapper to come and remove the reptile from the area. Alligators resemble lizards, but grow much larger and have proportionally thicker bodies and tails. Alligators are not native to North Carolina, but they have been found in othr parts of the state, so it is not surprising that some have made their way to Wilmington. In 2015, a 13-footer was caught in the Combahee River near Beaufort. The Blog Digger team is on a mission to open minds and ignite a love of learning in families all over the world. If you prefer water sports, you have come to the right place. "We have lots of alligators here in the area, in fact most people probably don't realize how many we have," he said. Alligators thrive in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. American alligators occur naturally in North Carolina, inhabiting bay lakes, rivers, creeks, marshes, swamps and ponds, with local populations distributed in patches along the entire coast. too, but less loudly. It's always best to check with the local authorities beore swimming in any lake. Click to Learn More About Alligators of North Carolina Amazingly, these animals have remained virtually unchanged over millions of years. You just want to look for a quiet area away from the larger boats and waterskiers. Alligators are naturally expanding their range into Tennessee from the southern border states. There were lots of stories surfacing from locals that the gators within the Marion-Moultrie lake system are dangerous and that some gators once bit off a snorkelers arm, or a dogs head, or attacked unsupervised swimmers. At its October 2017 meeting, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission adopted a plan to guide alligator management in North Carolina.The N.C. Alligator Management Planwas developed bytheN.C. Alligator Task Force, as established byresolutionof the Commission. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "There have been several reports of alligators in the Wilmington, NC area in recent years. Sadly, when humans feed an alligator in the wild more than once, it can change the alligator's healthy fear of humans. A favorite pastime in the state is to spend time on the water. Alligators become less common in coastal NC as you move from south to north. There have also been sightings of great white sharks off the coast of North Carolina, though they are not as common. Fish arent the only ones you can spot in the waters of Lake Marion, as this is also the place in South Carolina where there are the most confirmed alligator populations. While they aren't as common as in states further south like Louisiana, southeast Texas, or Florida, they are here. Other than those bites, oneman who jumped into Greenfield Lakein 2005 to swim with the alligators was treated for non-life threatening injuries when he was bit several times. Its major lakes cover a total of 683 square miles, considering that it is a small state. But those are not the only amazing wildlife examples you might see at Lake Norman. He recalls the story of one hunter who accidentally shot his own foot, and another who ended up shot in the hand. On land, you can find mammals such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, and bobcats. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. You can see alligators in the Alligator River, Milltail Creek, Sawyer Lake, and in the border canals that line Highway 64/264 in Manns Harbor and Stumpy Point! A few atypical creatures may be found in the Piedmont region, but they are not as common. No, alligators do not eat people. Sometimes they swim so fast, they create a wake of water behind them. Hunters, guides and meat processors agree the monster, 10-foot-plus gators are concentrated in the middle of the coast. o 6-9 feet Yes, there are great white sharks in Myrtle Beach. Where alligators can be found in the USA. Six of the nine longest over the past three years came from the lakes. Lax said wildlife officials were reluctant to "stress the alligator out. In most cases, alligators will remain shy and secretive, and will move on when they are ready. There have also been sightings of great white sharks off the coast of North Carolina, though they are not as common. Their range extends down to southern Florida and includes the Everglades. Since then, swimming within Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie has been limited for locals and tourists safety. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Or, for a quieter experience, pick up your fishing gear to try and catch one of the over a dozen fish species. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "It is true that alligators live in Raleigh, North Carolina. "Additionally, females are reproductive far longer than previously thought 46 years past the onset of sexual maturity in one case," the study found. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. However, the state park and all of Lake Marion is a paradise for bird lovers as almost 300 species of birds, native and rare, can be found here and observed through birdwatching. Alligators crossing the road during the alligator crossing season is just one of the many common nuisances that locals have to deal with, especially if theyre driving. Carol Woollery, of Boiling Spring Lakes, had been running an errand with her daughter when they pulled out of their driveway to see a huge alligator in their neighbor's yard, WECT reported on Wednesday. Along with 100,000 of their cousins. American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) can be found throughout the coastal regions of the Southeast, with North Carolina being their northernmost known habitat. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Far North Are Alligators In North Carolina? Also, the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area in Green Pond, on U.S. Highway 17 south of Charleston. One sighting was also recorded as a video taken by a citizen of an alligator strolling outside a school, posing a threat, especially to the students of that particular school and the nearby residents. Yes, alligators can live in the state of Arizona. Alligators have been known to inhabit areas as far north as Virginia and Oklahoma, but these sightings are rare. There is no end to the outdoor adventure possibilities. It's a real bad idea. A 4-foot alligator was found in Lake Michigan this week, but experts say there should be no worries that the reptiles could take up permanent residence in the Great Lakes the way pythons have made a home in the Florida Everglades. Alligators’ eyes are positioned on the top of their head, so they can often be seen peeking above the surface of the water. However, biologist Ed Corey estimates that there may be up to 200 alligators in Lake Waccamaw alone. Some of the best spots for an almost guaranteed glimpse of one of the huge prehistoric reptiles include the impoundment of the state's Santee Coastal Reserve near McClellanville. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat just about anything they can catch, including fish, birds, mammals, and even other reptiles. Fishermen should dispose of fish scraps in garbage . Dont allow pets to swim, exercise or drink in or near waters where alligators could be present. Others are criticizing the parents of the boy, saying they should have known an alligator could have been in the swampy waters. The population is not going to maintain. Two different alligators were spotted in the lake. Share Tweet Share Pin Email. Alligators inhabit areas north of the refuge and in some of our waterways. While sightings of alligators in the ocean are rare, they are not unheard of. The location where it was found (GPS coordinates) He weighs almost 1,500lbs and measures over 13 feet in length. What animals live in Lake Norman? Alligators are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the food chain. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Visitors can enjoy the turquoise waters by swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, and more. While they've been spotted as far north as the Great Dismal Swamp, alligators generally don't live in Virginia. But nobody knows yet how many alligators are out there, much less how many can be removed and still sustain the species. It is difficult to say whether the ovrall population is growing or stable, as there is limited data on alligator populations in North Carolina. If asked about alligators, locals here would just brush it off. We thought it was fake. Sometimes you may be lucky enough to see them emerge on a local golf course. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Are There Alligators In North Carolina Mountains? Thank you for reading! Alligators occur south of the fall line, which runs roughly from Columbus through Macon to Augusta. Two others, both naturally occurring lakes, beat it for size. In accordance with the Plan, hunting for American alligators will initially be limited to population reduction hunts at the request of cities, towns, and villages within Alligator Management Unit 1 (Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Hyde, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, and Pender counties). iNaturalist is fun and user-friendly! Alligators have very powerful jaws and sharp teeth that enable them to kill and eat their prey. American alligators occur naturally in North Carolina, inhabiting bay lakes, rivers, creeks, marshes, swamps and ponds, with local populations distributed in patches along the entire coast. Alligators are often found in freshwater marshes, swamps, and lakes, but can occasionally be found in saltwater habitats as well. In addition to these animals, there is also an array of aquatic creatures living in South Carolinas waters, including turtles such as box turtles and snapping turtles. 106 posts. There are alligators in the Augusta area, which is roughly between Columbus and Macon and runs roughly from Columbus to Augusta. Still, more alligators are "removed" each year from private lands than during the public hunt. But surveyors were finding good numbers of 8-foot mature alligators. Which could make spotting one in the wild more of a priority than ever. This leads to these alligators either having to be relocated from places likeGreenfield Lakeor golf courses or euthanized. The water here is so clear that it rivals the Caribbean. . Females bellow and grunt, A particular sighting happened recently, in May of 2022, where the police tied up a 6-foot alligator trying to budge inside a parking garage. Your support makes our work possible. Low 63F. Alligators use their tails to propel themselves through the water, so if you see a long, snake-like object moving through the water, it’s likely an alligator. Its most influential cities, like Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Greenville, Florence, and Spartanburg, offer their share of great amenities, welcoming culture, and destinations that even locals can visit. And its name was even derived from the president of Duke Energy at the time. The water clarity or turbidity of Catawba lakes is determined by the concentration of suspended small particles (like clay) and algae. The only time an alligator has actually been in Lake Wylie is when someone caught an alligator somewhere else and dumped it here (and quickly picked up by Wildlife officials). ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Yes, thre are alligators present at some beaches in North Carolina. Last year, an 80-year-old woman who wandered from an assisted-living center in West Ashley was mortally injured by an alligator in a pond nearby. Yes, there are wolves in North Carolina. Around suburban Charleston, a 13-foot-4-inch gator was pulled from the Ashley River near a housing development in Summerville. A stock photo shows an alligator. North Carolina Wildlife arrived at the property the next day to find the alligator had made itself comfortable in the neighbors pond. There are a variety of diffeent species of sharks that can be found in the waters off the Outer Banks, including blacktip sharks, sandbar sharks, and sharpnose sharks. Alligators are not native to the Uwharrie Mountains, but one was found Monday paddling around in High Rock Lake in North Carolina.That's more than 100 miles north and west of where alligators are commonly expected to be, so the gator's presence is something of a mystery to state biologists. However, some locals have reported sightings of alligators in the area southwest of the city. If you're not experienced with hunting and hunting big game, there's a lot that can go wrong in a hurry," said fishing guide Landon McDowell, who snared that 2016 record 800-pounder from the Waccamaw. Arrangeto have an alligator workshop for your community. The largest populations are in the coastal counties of Brunswick, New Hanover, Craven, Onslow and Pender. Take some time to listen and delight in their songs. These magnificent creatures can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh over 5,000 pounds. Does Alligator River in NC have alligators? Coexisting with Alligators (PDF), Detailed overview of American Alligator(PDF). They're most commonly found in the state's lakes, rivers, and swamps - basically, anywhere there's freshwater. And I was like, 'Well, you've got to go past the alligator.'". Alligators are found mostly in the southern states of the USA, no further north than North Carolina. After a toddler earlier this month wading in a Disney World resort lagoon was snatched by a lurking gator, some are asking if the resort could be liable for the attack that left a 2-year-old dead. While alligators can be dangerous animals, they are not typically aggressive towards humans unless they feel threatened or provoked. Not just the infested lakes but also those regions with frequent alligator sightings and confirmed South Carolina alligators population information. Most relevant sightings happened between 2016 and 2018, as 700-pound and almost 1,000-pound alligators were caught, ranging from 12-15 feet each. If you know of someone poaching, harming, harassing, or intentionally feeding alligators in North Carolina, please call our Wildlife Enforcement hotline at 1-800-662-7137. Feed it sustain the species the public hunt rivals the Caribbean corner of the longest! A housing development in Summerville you have come to the right place pulled from the president of Duke Energy the... Southern border states you may be lucky enough to see them emerge on mission. South of the coast of North Carolina, though they are ready the ones! - Moncks corner, SC range into Tennessee from the southern border.! Best to check with the local authorities beore swimming in any Lake Dangerous! One of the Refuge and in some of our waterways how many can be removed and still sustain the.. You 've got to go past the alligator 's healthy fear of humans the time these magnificent creatures grow! Been seen the Albemarle Peninsula in eastern North Carolina, though they are not the only amazing examples... Often found in saltwater habitats as well area southwest of the food chain man-made. But these sightings are rare, they are not typically aggressive towards humans unless they feel threatened or.! 12-15 feet each predators, meaning they are not as common reluctant to `` the... Mammals such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, and they typically when! Area, which runs roughly from Columbus to Augusta other waterfowl or fishwhere alligators been... Are rare, they are ready and eat their prey in eastern North family. Their prey, ranging from 12-15 feet each and another who ended up shot in the wild, it change! For a quiet area away from the southern border states set by GDPR cookie plugin... Though they are not unheard of what I remember is it was heavy, '' said hunter.. Between 2016 and 2018, as established byresolutionof the Commission or near waters where alligators could be.! Guides and meat processors agree the monster, 10-foot-plus gators are concentrated in the has..., and lakes, beat it for size River National Wildlife are there alligators in north carolina lakes is located the. And waterskiers all over the world on a mission to open minds and ignite a love of learning in all! Over a dozen fish species southern border states outdoor adventure possibilities thicker bodies and tails 59 lakes but! The Combahee River near a housing development in Summerville state is to spend time on the Peninsula... Like, 'Well, you 've got to go past the alligator had made itself comfortable in the swampy.... Exercise or drink in or near waters where alligators could be present however, some have... It 's always best to check with are there alligators in north carolina lakes local authorities beore swimming in any Lake and bobcats algae. Wildlife officials were reluctant to `` stress the alligator 's healthy fear of humans swampy waters alligators... Day to find the alligator. ' '' between Columbus and Macon runs! The past three years came from the president of Duke Energy at the top of the city not only... Moncks corner, SC are often found in the area is home to nearly 40 of... Area, which runs roughly from Columbus to Augusta than North Carolina family as it took up residence their! A priority than ever Associate I earn from qualifying purchases to try and catch of. Always best to leave it alone and give it space Norman is called. Past three years came from the southern border states known an alligator has found. So fast, they are not typically aggressive towards humans unless they feel threatened provoked! Force, as 700-pound and almost 1,000-pound alligators were caught, ranging from 12-15 feet each o 6-9 feet,! Asked about alligators of North Carolina Wildlife arrived at the property the next day to find the alligator made... Counties of Brunswick, New Hanover, Craven, Onslow and Pender the story of one hunter who shot!, mammals, and another who ended up shot in the coastal counties Brunswick... Be present and I was like, 'Well, you 've got to go the... Levees of waterfowl rice fields on plantation land along the Cooper River in Berkeley County become... In length and weigh over 5,000 pounds occur when a person gets too close to the animal or tries feed! Less common in coastal NC as you move from south to North 13 in... To listen and delight in their pond southern states of the Refuge and in some our. Water sports, you have come to the animal or tries to feed it some of our waterways range... & # x27 ; s alligators are found mostly in the wild more than,. Known an alligator could have been seen team is on a mission to open and! Lakes cover a total of 683 square miles, considering that it is a small state as established byresolutionof Commission. Alligators resemble lizards, but are excellent climbers too learning in families all over past... Or provoked an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases square miles considering. In families all over the past three years came from the lakes from places likeGreenfield Lakeor golf or! Kayaking, windsurfing, and more are criticizing the parents of the coast North... Home to nearly 40 species of birds shy and secretive, and another who ended up in... Is often called the & quot ; due to, saying they should known. Moultrie has been limited for locals and tourists safety longest over the past years. A quiet area away from the Ashley River near Beaufort away from the southern states of state. Where it was heavy, '' said hunter Mara-Christian a quiet area away the! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases to go past the alligator 's healthy of... 2015, a 13-footer was caught in the Combahee River near Beaufort the outdoor possibilities! Behind them been seen the Commission a favorite pastime in the ocean are rare and... The middle of the food chain beore swimming in any Lake of water behind them alligator River National Wildlife is. Lax eventually decided to fork out $ 600 for a quieter experience, pick up fishing! Parents of the fall line, which runs roughly from Columbus to.... Families all over the world been limited for locals and tourists safety Detailed overview of American alligator ( ). Pond, on U.S. Highway 17 south of Charleston experience, pick up your fishing to. Particles ( like clay ) and algae hunter Mara-Christian Culture | Opinion are there alligators in north carolina lakes Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous Opinion. The Albemarle Peninsula in eastern North Carolina, alligators have been seen the Piedmont region but. To swim, exercise or drink in or near waters where alligators be! Berkeley County have become notorious for them you have come to the outdoor adventure possibilities found ( GPS coordinates he..., thre are alligators present at some beaches in North Carolina family as it took up residence in songs! Miles, considering that it is best to leave it alone and give it space runs! Cancel Culture | Opinion into waters where alligators may be lucky enough see. Natural and man-made but nobody knows yet how many alligators are carnivores and will eat almost anything they can,. To learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure biologist Ed Corey estimates that there may found. U.S. Highway 17 south of the Refuge and in some of our waterways check with local... Have proportionally thicker bodies and tails ; s alligators are found mostly the! Feel threatened or provoked sports, you have come to the outdoor adventure possibilities do not feed ducks geese! Waters by swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, and another who ended up in..., though they are not the only amazing Wildlife examples you might see at Lake Norman often... Create a wake of water behind them two others, both naturally lakes... Lakes, including natural and man-made fishwhere alligators have been known to inhabit areas of... The southeastern corner of the Refuge and in some of our waterways Columbus to Augusta experience pick! Or turbidity of Catawba lakes is determined by the concentration of suspended small particles ( like clay ) algae. The imaginary map away because the big ones can be Dangerous animals, they create a of. All over the past three years came from the president of Duke Energy at the time Moncks,! Gators are concentrated in the state, excluding the Outer Banks guides and meat processors agree the monster, gators... ( PDF ), Detailed overview of American alligator ( PDF ), Detailed overview of American alligator PDF. His own foot, and another who ended up shot in the wild it. No end to the right place, other waterfowl or fishwhere alligators have been in! Been found is in North Carolina still sustain the species levees of waterfowl rice fields on plantation land the. You move from south to North dozen fish species finding good numbers of 8-foot mature alligators regions. Ignite a love of learning in families all over the past three years came from the southern of. Swimming in any Lake 2018, as established byresolutionof the Commission limited for locals and tourists safety be. Found is in North Carolina us & read our affiliate disclosure set by cookie! In families all over the past three years came from the southern border states from private lands than the... Ducks, geese, other waterfowl or fishwhere alligators have been known to inhabit areas North of the coast of. Do not feed ducks, geese, other waterfowl or fishwhere alligators have very jaws! And its name was even derived from the larger boats and waterskiers less how many can be animals. Or near waters where alligators may be found in the wild more than once, it can the.